Part 3, Chapter 27: The 1980's: Smashing StatuesSummary

Yuri Andropov, former head of the KGB, took over leadership of the Soviet Union in 1982. In ways similar to Stalin, he thought that stronger discipline (including stricter camps and more surveillance) would help the Soviet Union's problems. "Thanks to Andropov, the first half of the 1980's is remembered as the most repressive era in post-Stalinist history." (p. 553). Andropov arrested and re-arrested dissidents, and frightened people away from anything resembling a protest movement. Those suspected of being involved in one risked losing everything. They and their spouses would lose their jobs, their children would be denied entrance to universities, their residence permits would be revoked, and their travel would be restricted. Information still leaked out into the outside world about the repressive tactics, but it had little impact on Soviet policies.